Latest news with #SeattleSupersonics
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder jersey history No. 34 - Clay Johnson (1983-84)
The Oklahoma City Thunder (and the Seattle Supersonics before them) have 51 jersey numbers worn by the players who have suited up for the franchise since its founding at the start of the 1967-68 season. To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Thunder Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. And while those Supersonics jerseys may not remain part of the franchise history should a new team be established in Seattle as was the case with the return of the Charlotte Hornets, they are part of the Thunder's history today. Advertisement For this article, we continue with the 34th jersey number in the series, jersey No. 34, with 17 players in total having donned the jersey in the history of the franchise. Thunder City Edition uniform (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) The fourth of those players did so in the Seattle SuperSonics era, guard alum Clay Johnson. After ending his college career at Missouri, Johnson was picked up with the 110th overall selection (there were many more rounds in that era of the draft) of the 1978 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Yazoo City, Mississippi native would play the first two seasons of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers after a pair of seasons playing in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA -- that era's version of the G League). After that, he signed with Seattle for the final season of his career. Advertisement During his time suiting up for the Sonics, Johnson wore only jersey No. 34 and put up 2.2 points per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference. This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Thunder jersey history No. 34 - Clay Johnson (1983-84)
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Durant Dynasty: Top cards from every stop
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Kevin Durant speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) He did it! With his recent trade to the Houston Rockets, Kevin Durant has officially completed the NBA rainbow, suiting up for teams across the league and joining a rare club of active stars to do so. While Dennis Schröder pulled off this feat in just over two years, Durant's journey has been storied—filled with scoring titles, MVP awards, and unforgettable playoff runs. Now, at nearly 37 years old, he's signed a team-friendly extension with the Rockets, aiming to end his legendary career on top as an NBA champion once again. Surrounded by a talented young core in Houston, KD's veteran presence and elite scoring might be the missing piece to elevate this rising squad into true contention. As we reminisce about the incredible journey of one of the game's all-time greats and look ahead to his final chapter with the Houston Rockets, let's revisit some of Kevin Durant's most valuable and iconic cards from every team he's played for. 1) Seattle Supersonics We start where it all began: the Seattle Supersonics. Durant's rookie season produced some of the most iconic and valuable cards of his career, none more legendary than the 2007-08 Exquisite RPA /35. Once a white whale for collectors, this card reached staggering heights, selling for as much as $780,000 back in 2021. While the market has cooled significantly since then, the allure of this card remains untouched. It represents the beginning of a Hall-of-Fame career, and for many, it's still the crown jewel of Durant's cardboard legacy. Kevin Durant's coveted 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph #/35 2) Oklahoma City Thunder Although technically the same franchise as the Supersonics, KD's move to Oklahoma City marked a completely new chapter—new jersey, new city, and a new era. It's where Durant truly made his name, evolving from promising rookie to league MVP and global superstar. The standout card from this era is the 2012-13 Panini Prizm Black Label BGS 10 /25, a stunning autograph that's pure eye candy for any Prizm collector. Back in 2021, this gem fetched around $48,000 and today remains a nostalgic nod to one of the most electrifying stretches of Durant's career. The Kevin Durant prizm autograph from 2012 Panini Prizm remains one of the most iconic cards from the set. 3) Golden State Warriors Durant's move to Golden State may have stirred controversy, but it's also where he cemented his legacy as a champion and solidified his place among the all-time greats. His most expensive card from the Warriors era is the 2022-23 Flawless Triple Logoman featuring KD, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, a hobby holy grail that sold for a jaw-dropping $122,000 in August 2024. Advertisement For solo Durant cards, his top individual Warriors card is the 2017-18 Flawless Logoman BGS 9.5, which brought in $40,000 back in 2021. Whether shared or solo, KD's Warriors cards are elite—just like his Finals MVP performances. This 2017-18 Panini Flawless Logoman of Kevin Durant sold for $40,000 in 2021. 4) Brooklyn Nets Ah, the Brooklyn chapter—the stop Kevin Durant probably wishes he could erase. Teaming up with Kyrie Irving and James Harden was supposed to create an unstoppable superteam, but things never quite clicked. Still, it wasn't a total loss; it's where KD built a relationship with current Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, who he'll now play under in Houston. As for his top Nets card, that would be the 2021-22 Flawless 75th Anniversary Logoman Autograph 1/1, which sold for $30,500 in August 2024. It's a beautiful card tied to a forgettable era—but still a significant piece of Durant's journey. The 2021-22 Panini Flawless Logoman of Kevin Durant sold for $30,500 last year. 5) Phoenix Suns Durant's time in Phoenix came with high expectations, pairing him with Devin Booker to chase another title. While the run didn't deliver the ultimate prize, KD demonstrated he's still elite, proving last season that even in his mid-30s he's worth every bit of trade capital. His top-selling Suns card is the 2023-24 Panini National Treasures Logoman 1/1, which sold for $10,200 in April 2025. It's a sleek and rare piece marking a short but impactful stint in the desert. The Panini National Treasures 1/1 Logoman of Kevin Durant in a Suns uniform sold for over $10,000 in 2025. 6) Houston Rockets Wait a minute—Durant doesn't even have a Rockets jersey card yet, so how's this on the list? Well, thanks to the fast-moving hobby, Topps NOW dropped a surprise card commemorating the exact moment KD learned he was headed to Houston—live on stage at Fanatics Fest last weekend. The 1/1 autograph version titled "KD Learns He's Headed to Houston" is already generating buzz and will almost certainly fetch a hefty price. It's a unique piece of hobby history and the perfect way to kick off Durant's final NBA chapter. Topps NOW dropped a surprise card commemorating the exact moment KD learned he was headed to Houston. (Topps) Your collection deserves a community. Download Mantel today.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch first NBA Finals crown
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 on Sunday to clinch the franchise's first NBA Finals crown with a 4-3 series victory. NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points to seal an emphatic win against a Pacers side who lost talisman Tyrese Haliburton to a first-quarter injury. Advertisement The NBA championship was the first won by the Thunder since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. Their only other title came in 1979 when the team were the Seattle Supersonics. Indiana had taken the best-of-seven series to a decider with a battling victory in game six last Thursday, when Haliburton fought through a calf strain to inspire a 108-91 win. That left the Pacers needing to reproduce a repeat of their game one win on the road at top seeds Oklahoma City to clinch their own maiden NBA title. But the scale of the task before the Pacers became even more daunting after Haliburton crumpled to the Paycom Center court in agony in the first quarter before limping out of the game. Advertisement The Pacers said Haliburton had suffered a "lower right leg injury", although ESPN cited the player's father as saying his son had suffered an Achilles injury. Although the Pacers battled bravely to lead 48-47 at half-time, the Thunder pulled away, outscoring Indiana 34-20 to open up a hefty 13-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Thunder were in no mood to let that advantage slip and they led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter before holding on to win. rcw/dh
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Thunder blow out Pacers in Game 7 to win NBA championship
The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA championship over the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, running away with Game 7 of the NBA Finals on their home court in exciting fashion. The last time this franchise won an NBA title was 1979, when they were still known as the Seattle Supersonics. Since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008 and rebranding as the Thunder, they have not won a title until Sunday night. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates made sure to change that on Sunday night, as their dominant regular season and NBA Playoffs run was capped in the best way possible in a do-or-die Game 7. This is a developing story. More to come.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA: Gary Payton makes bold claim about Michael Jordan; believes season's Finals could go the distance
Fformer Seattle Supersonics and LA Lakers star Gary Payton speaks at an event in Mumbai. Mumbai: Gary Payton can talk about defense all day, understandably so. So good were his defensive skills back in the day, they called him 'The Glove'. So much importance he attached to the defensive side of basketball, he drilled it into his son Gary Payton II. He still does. And it's why the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, considered one of the best point guards of all time, believes the 2025 NBA Finals featuring Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers is set to be a 'great series'. 'I think this is going to be a great series. I like it because they both play defense. With both teams, you got five guys on the floor at all times who can go at each other,' Payton, a 2006 NBA champion with Miami Heat, told reporters here on Thursday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! On his maiden visit to India, the former Seattle Supersonics and LA Lakers star, who is in town for the BudX NBA House this weekend, stressed that there was more to the two finalists than just their star point guards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma and Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton. 'Well, it's not just these two, they lead it. But you have to understand with these two teams, they have other basketball players who are very dominant. And right now it's a different type of style of basketball than I played,' Payton said, adding: 'When I played, I could put my hands on them, I could control them and things, but you can't do that now. But what I would do with either one of the guards, I would try to trap them and make other people win the basketball game. 'With the two superstars, especially MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, you have to get the ball out of his hands. Make other people beat you. Even with Haliburton, when he has a great game, the Indiana Pacers go.' Along their path to the Finals, the Pacers were never taken to a seventh game by any of their rivals. That could be about to change as they battle the Thunder for the famed Larry O'Brien Trophy. 'I really do think it can go to seven games. The first one who loses on their home court is probably going to be the loser,' Payton said. 'They're the best two teams right now in the NBA. Oklahoma has been the best team all year winning as many games they did, 60-plus. Let's see what Indiana got for them.' Asked how he viewed the way NBA basketball has evolved and the direction it was heading in, the 56-year-old made his preference clear. 'I would rather see a lot more defense. Right now, it's a lot of offense. 'I don't want to go to a game and see somebody score 130 points. For what? And somebody has 50 points, another player has 55, that's not a watch for me. That's crazy. I think I want to see somebody stop somebody. I want to see somebody take accountability of taking a person out of the game who's very valuable to their team. That's what I want to see, and that's what I dictate to my son all the time. That's why he's got the old school basketball game to him right now, because he guards everybody from one to five and I love that. ' For his gritty display during the second half of the 1996 NBA Finals where he was tasked with guarding Michael Jordan, Payton would go on to be regarded as one of the best defensive opponents of the legendary Chicago Bulls guard. Is that how he would like to be described to basketball fans who tuned in after he was gone? 'I don't care about being the best defender of Michael Jordan. That doesn't mean anything, I was the best defender of everybody,' he shot back. 'I guarded everybody. (Michael) wasn't just a focal point for me. Everybody in the NBA was a focal point for me. I would want to be remembered as the first two-way basketball player to play on both ends of the floor. I started that. 'I really didn't care about scoring, I cared about stopping the opponent, their best player. Because if I stop them that means I stop their basketball team, because they can't function without him. My legacy started because of defense. People say that. That's great, I love it. But really, my legacy started off with me being just a complete basketball player. Both ends of the floor, complete.'
